Final Defense Bill Includes More Than 30 Georgia Priorities

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a negotiator for the final defense bill, U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) praises final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Senator Perdue secured more than 30 provisions of importance to Georgia in the annual defense bill, which now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“Georgia’s military community plays a central role in fulfilling President Trump’s National Defense Strategy. This defense bill delivers the tools we need to protect Americans at home and abroad. The world is more dangerous today than any time in my lifetime. Our women and men in uniform need our full support as they defend our nation against evolving threats around the globe. President Trump is committed to modernizing our military capabilities and rebuilding our armed forces after the previous administration’s disinvestment. This year’s defense bill includes the critical resources our President needs to carry out that mission.”

Senator Perdue’s provisions address a range of issues from bringing new missions to Georgia’s military community and safeguarding U.S. military technology to improved base conditions and medical care for service members. Here are some highlights:

Expedites New Mission To Georgia: Provides funding for the new Advanced Battle Management System, which gives our military the capability to access both restricted and non-restricted airspace. The Air Force has announced that ABMS will be hosted at Robins Air Force Base.

Extends JSTARS: Prohibits the retirement of any aircraft in the JSTARS fleet, provides funding for full manning, maintenance, and operations for the full fleet for FY19, and creates a plan for the next ten years. It also secures funding for critical upgrades to enhance the operability and service life of the fleet.

Accelerates Advanced Battle Management System: Accelerates funding for the development of new and critical technologies for the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System at Robins Air Force Base.

Re-wings A-10 Aircraft: Secures an additional $65 million for the re-winging of A-10 aircraft, some of which are based at Moody Air Force Base.

Upgrades C-130 Aircraft: Expands support for legacy C-130 aircraft with an additional $129 million for engine upgrades and $154 million for propeller upgrades which will be done at Robins Air Force Base.

Repeals Compass Call FY17 Requirement: Repeals a requirement from the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act that has caused work stoppages and impacted Georgian workers.

Promotes Military Spouse Employment: Multiple provisions address issues with low rates of military spouse employment and provide better access to beneficial programs that will help military spouses navigate the challenges of military life while supporting their families and their service members.

Preserves ZTE Procurement Ban: Includes an amendment to preserve the U.S. Commerce Department’s export control authority and prohibit the federal government from purchasing ZTE and Huawei products in order to ensure the security of our military communication systems.

Supports Submarine Industrial Base: Includes $250 million for the revitalization and long-term sustainment of the Columbia Class submarine industrial base that will benefit Georgia companies and King’s Bay, Georgia.

Restores Military Travel: Repeals a damaging cut to the per diem of our service members and federal employees conducting official long-term travel that has negatively impacted those individuals and the businesses and communities serving them.

Creates Military Construction Pilot Program: Establishes a pilot program that allows our depots to have more flexibility in the funding of critical infrastructure projects to support readiness.

Supports Georgia Industries: Ensures funding for a wide range of military equipment that is produced by businesses across the state of Georgia and includes authorizations for multi-year procurement contracts that will keep production lines open.

Establishes Cyber Institutes: Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish Cyber Institutes at colleges and universities with Reserve Officers’ Training Corps across the country, with a preference for Senior Military Colleges, to help ensure a robust cyber pipeline for Active Duty, Guard, and Reservists.

Holds Bureaucrats Accountable: Continues to provide crucial oversight of the Department of Defense’s financial audit and requires reviews of defense agencies to ensure transparency, accountability, and the best use of taxpayer dollars.

Secures Critical Technologies: Protects critical technologies necessary for national security from falling into the hands of our global competitors and requires further investigation into industrial espionage and cyber theft conducted by China.

Enhances Medical Care For Service Members: Secures funding for important medical research, development, and pilot programs that will enhance the care given to our service members at home and abroad.

Safeguards Online Marketplace: Ensures fair competition in the creation of an efficient and effective online marketplace to be used by Department of Defense.

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